Peters



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WIRE FABRIC MAGHINE.

No. 356,322. Patentedfian. 18, 1887.

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A. L. KITS'ELMAN.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

No. 356,322. Patented Jan. 18, 1887.-

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WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

No. 356,322. Patented Jan. 18, 1887.

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No. 356.322. Patented Jan. 18, 1887.

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A. L. KITSELMAN. WIRE FABRIG MACHINE.

No. 356,322. Patented Jan. 18, 1887..

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(No Model.) '8 Sheets-Sheet 6.

A. L. KITSELMANQ WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

No. 856,322. Patented Jan. 18, 1887.

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A. L. KITSELMAN.

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A.- L. KITSELMAN.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 18, 1887 8 SheetsSheet 8.

351 14,110 affqzym b UNTTTn STATES PATENT @rrrcs.

ALVA L. KiTsnLMAN, or BIDGEVILLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB or ONETHIRD TO nAvIs M. KITSELMAN, or sAMn PLACE.

WIRE-FABRIC MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 356,322, dated January 18, 1887.

Application filed August 13, 18S6. Serial No. 210,8l8. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.- thereof separated from one another. Fig. 8 Be it known that 1, Ann L. KI-rsnLMAN, a is a partial front elevation differing-from Fig. citizen of the United States, residing atBidge- 2 in showing the position of the twisters after ville, in the county of Randolph and State of the vertically-movz'tble frames or slides have 5 Indiana, have invented a new and useful Imbeen operated. Fig. 9 is a partial side elevaproveinentin Wire-Fabric Machines, of which tion illustrating the position of the slides or the following is a specification. vertically-movableframes after they have been My invention relates to machines for makadjusted. Fig. 10 is a partial front elevation ing twisted wire fabric for use as fencing and showing a different manner of threading the IQ analogous purposes; and it consists of the twisters. Fig. 11 is an elevation taken from peculiar combination and novel construction one side of the fence that is made by the maand arrangement of the various parts for servchine when it is threaded as shown in Fig. 10. ice, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, Fig. 12 is a partial front elevation showing and particularly pointed out in the claims. another method of threading the twisters.

The primary object I have in view in my Fig. 13 is an elevation of the plan of fence 6; invention is to provide a simple and easilymade when the machine is threaded as shown operated machine of the class named which in Fig. 12. Fig. ll illustrates another plan can be adapted for use in the open field or of threading the twisters. 15 is a View other place for the construction of fences, as of the style of fence made by the machine 2 well as a stationary or fixed machine for the when it is threaded as shown in Fig. let. Fig. manufactu re of wire fabric. 16 is a view of another style of fence with the A further object of my invention is to pro corresponding plan of threading the disks or vide a machine of the class specified which twisters. Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 20 are views can be adapted forthe manufacture ofdifferent of additional styles of fencing which may be 3 classes or designs of wire fabric and fences, made with my machine. Fig. 21 is an eleva when used as either a portable or stationary tion of the style of fence made when the maapparatus, without requiring any adjustment chine is threaded as shown in Fig. 2. or interchange of its parts. Referring to the drawings, in which like let- In the drawings hereto annexed, whichillusters of reference denote corresponding parts 30 trate a wire-fabric machine embodying my in all the figures, A designates the main frame invention, Figure l is a side elevation of the or casing of myimproved wire-fabric machine. machine in its portable form, the same being When the apparatus is to be'constructed in mounted on wheels and running or traversing portable form, so that it is adapted for use in on a track which is placed in the open field the open field, road, or other place for putting 5 or road, so that it is adapted for making or up or oonstructingfencesas the fabricis turned constructing the fence as it is moved or fed out or manufactured by the same, the carryalong. Fig. 2 is a front elevation with the ingframe A comprises the vertical standards twisters threaded to form the style of fence or uprights a a and (d, which are arranged illustrated in Fig. 21. Fig. 3 is a rear elevaparallel with each other. and connected and. 0 tion with a portion of the casing or main frame braced by suitable cross or transverse pieces, broken away to show details of construction. a"; but the shape of this frame is immaterial, Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View and I would have it understood that I hold on the linear w of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical myself at liberty to vary and change the same transverse sectional view on the line 3 4 of as may be desired. 5 Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow WVhen the machine is to be transported and 5 1. Fig. 6 is a similar sectional View correused in the open field, it is mounted upon supsponding to Fig. 5 on the line a z of Fig. 4, porting rollers or wheelsB and B, which are looking in the direction of the arrow 2. Fig. arranged in pairs at the front and rear ends 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the thereof, respectively. The front rollers or 50 sectional twisters with the parts or sections wheel's, B, are provided WltllSlIlOOiill or plane peripheries and travel on the smooth surface of a board or other suitable track, B, that is placed on the ground or other place, and the rollers B are provided with teeth on their peripheries, as clearly shown in the drawings, the said toothed wheels meshing with the racks b, that are arranged at the sides of the board or track B and rigidly affixed or secured i thereto in any suitable manner. The toothed wheels mesh with the toothed surface of the track, so that when they are rotated by the means which I will present-1y describe the main frame and the various parts of the operating mechanisms will be drawn along and thus fed at the required or proper rate, and

the wheels B,with the smooth peripheries, are

arranged comparatively close together, so that they will bear on the track between the racks or toothed surfaces at the sides of the latter, whereby the frame is rendered very steady in its movement.

The toothed supporting-wheels are rigidly affixed in any suitable manner to a common shaft, Z), so as to rotate or turn therewith, and this shaft is journaled in suitable hearings on the main frame at the lower rear side thereof. One of the ends of this shaft 1) is extended beyond the sides of the vertical main frame, and to this extended end is rigidly affixed a ratch etwheel, I)", with the teeth of which engages the pointed or free end of a pawl, b, that is pivoted on and carried by a hand or operating lever, 13', which is provided with an eye or opening at one end, through which the shaft is passed, so that the lever is supported on the shaft and free to move thereon independently of the same. This ratchet mechanism is designed to be operated byhand to feed the frame and other parts of the mechanism along to any required distance; but I do not intend to restrict myself to the peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts of the same, as they can be varied without departi ng from the spirit of my invention.

The distance which the main frame can be moved can. be easily and readily regulated or varied by the operator by causing the pawl of the hand-lever to slip over two, three, or more teeth of the ratchetrwhcel, so that the mesh of the wire fabric or fence can be made of uniform size or varied as may be necessary, according to the design of fabric selected, as will be very readily understood.

The main frame A carries a series of devices for twisting the wire into open spaces or loops, and, for the sake of clearncss and convenience, in describing or referring to these devices hereinafter I will term them as twisters. Any preferred or desired number of these twisting devices may be employed that may be deemed desirable or necessary, and in the accompanying drawings I have shown a series of seven, and will confine my description of the operation of the machine to thisnuinber of these devices; but I would have it understood that I hold myself at liberty to vary and change the number thereof to adapt the machine to manufacturing wire fabric of any desired width, or to constructing fences of varying or different heights.

In order to render the operation of my machine more clear and explicit, I have lettered these twisters O D E F G H I. The twisters from O to I, inclusive, form the active twisters, and at the top and bottom I provide two inactive twisters, I I; and in describing the process of manufacturing the different classes or kinds of fabric I will describe the method or manner of threading the twisters, and also in which the fabric is formed. Each of these active twisters consists, essentially, of two oppositely-movable sections, J and K, and a stationary section, L, these terms being used for the purpose of distinguishing the parts ofthe twisters. In Fig. 7 of the drawings I have shown one of these active twisters with the parts detached from each other, and will now describe the said parts separately from each other. The oppositely-movable sections J' K of each of the active twisters are made precisely or substantially alike, and they each consist of a tie or connecting ba1,.7 and two segmental heads, j, which are formed integral with the tie-bar and at the extremities of the latter. These segmental heads of the movable sections of the twisters are placed on opposite sides of the stationary sections of the twisters, so that the fiat sides of the said segmental heads of the movable sections impinge or bear,

against the stationary section on their flat or straight sides, and their outer curved edges form a complete circle, whereby the stationary and movable sections of the twisters are adapted to impinge upon each other and to revolve together, so as form the twist in the loop during the process of manufacturing the fabric.

As before stated, each of the movable sec tions of each twister is cast or formed in a single piece of metal, and the segmental heads j of the twister-sections are each provided with a transverse aperture or opening, j, except one of the movable sections of the upper and lower twisters, O I, respectively, for the free passage of the wire, as more fully described present] y, and said heads are further provided with radial or outwardiyprojecting arms or ribs k, which impinge or bear against the sliding frames to prevent longitudinal play of the same. These arms are also formed or cast with the twistersections, and they are arranged to project beyond the periphery of the segmentaLheads, and at or near the straight inner side thereof, for the purpose described.

ISO

IIS

The stationary or immovable section L of twister are extended beyond the upper and lower sides of the tie or connecting bar, as at Z*, so that when the said central section is 1'0 tated with the side sections of the twister to form the twist in the loop the extended ends Z* will impinge upon the inner sides of the main carrying-frame, and thereby prevent the ceir tral section from longitudinal movement. The stationary section of each twister has a cylindrical shaft or bearing-piece, Z cast in a single piece therewith, and this shaft is arranged at p the rear end of the section and projects outwardly beyond one of the heads thereof, as shown, the shaft and the heads of the tie-bar being provided with passages or openings Z which are in line with each other, so that the warp-wires of the fabric or fence can pass through the said openings very freely without hinderance or danger of becoming entangled with other parts of the apparatus.

The inactive twisters I and l are arranged at the upper and lower ends of the main frame and on opposite sides of the central sections of the active twisters, and said inactive twisters are merely fitted in and carried by the sliding frames to coincide with the central sections of the active twisters O I; but they do not affect the operation of the machine.

M and N designate the sliding frames, which are arranged within the uprights a a of the main frame A and on opposite sides of the twisters. These sliding frames each consist of two vertical pieces, m, which are connected by suitable transverse pieces to render the frame rigid and strong, and which bear against the inner sides of the uprights a of the main frame. The upright a at the front of the main frame and the uprights m of each of the sliding frames are each provided with an opening or aperture, a and m, respectively, the opening a of the main frame being circular, and the openingsm of theslidingframes are formed on the inner edges of the sliding frames and semicircular, so that when the sliding frames coincide the said openings or recesses m reg ister to form a complete circle, and these openingsa in the front uprights, a, of the main frame are connected by vertical slots or passages a, and a space, m is left between the contiguous edges of the sliding frames for the stationary sections L, as will be very readily understood. The openings a and m of the main and sliding frames are adapted to register or coincide, and they are equal in diameter to the diameter of the circle formed by the semicircular heads or disks at the ends of the movable sections of the twisters. be seen that I provide one of the uprights of the main frame and both uprights of the sliding frames with a series of circular openings,

which are connected by intermediate spaces or slots, and that these openings and slots or spaces are arranged one above the other in vertical lines. The circular openings in the said main and sliding frames correspond in number with the number of twisters employed. The twisters are arranged in series one It will thus which are thus disposed on opposite sides of the stationary section. 'The central stationary sections of all of the twisters are arranged in a vertical line, and they are fitted or so arranged that the heads at the extremities thereof are fitted in the straight slots or spaces m intermediate of the semicircular openings in the contiguous edges of the vertically-sliding frames, the shaft of the stationary section of the twister being passed through and suitablyjournaled in the rear uprights, a and a, of the main frame, sothat the stationary section of the twister is prevented from movement or play in a vertical line. The segmental heads at the extremities of the movable section of each twister are fitted so as to rotate very freely in the opening m in the sliding frame, and the straight faces of the heads of the movable sections and the tie or connecting bars thereof are normally in contact with the head and tiebar, respectively, of the corresponding stationary or central section of the twister, whereby all three of the sections of each of the twisters are adapted to be rotated in vertical planes together or simultaneously for the purpose of forming the twist in one of the loops of the fabric, all of the said series of twisters being geared together to adapt them tobe rotated at one operation in order to twist the wires in the series of loops simultaneously.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be seen that the heads of each section of each twister are fitted in the opening or recess in one of the sliding frames M or N, and when these frames are moved vertically these movable sections of the twisters are carried or moved with their respective frames. so that they are caused to coincide or register with a stationary central section ofa twister above or beneath the section from which the movable section started before the sliding frame was shiftedr Thus, for instance, when the sliding frame Nis moved upwardly, the sections K of the twisters Eand F are carried with it and caused to register with the stationary sections of the twisters D E, respectively, as will be very readily understood. The object of thus shifting or moving the sections J K of the twisters is to cause the wires that are fed t-herethrough to cross or incline, in order to prepare the wires for the subsequent operation of twisting them, which is accomplished by rotating the twisters one or more times, as may be desired, all as hereinafter more fully described.

The sliding frames M N and the movable sections of the twisters carried thereby are operated or shifted vertically in opposite directions by a single movement of a single handlever, Othat is, when the frame M is moved upwardly, the frame N will be forced downwardly, and vice versa. This hand-lever O is journaled or fitted near one end on a central- IIC pin or shaft, 0, that is rigidly supported in the upper end of the main frame A, and the said lever is connected with the shifting or sliding frames by intermediate links, 0, which are pivotally connected with the lever and the frames, as is obvious.

Each of the shafts of the central section, L, of each twister is provided with a spur-gear wheel, 1), which is rigidly secured thereto, so as to rotate therewith, and these gear-wheels are all of the same diameter and have the same number and proportion of teeth, so that all of the twisters are rotated at the same rate of speed and describe a complete circle or revolntion in the same space of time. The gearwheels mesh with each other, so that all ofthe twisters are rotated simultaneously, and these gear-wheels are operated at one timeby a single crank, O, that is arranged at one side ofthe machine, and is seen red on a shaft, 12, which is journaled in suitable bearings affixed to the up right a of the main frame, the said shaft having a small bevel gear-wheel or pinion,q, which meshes with a larger bevel gear-wheel, g, on one of the shafts of one of the stationary sections of one twister. It will be seen that by r0- tating the crank the motion thereof will be commul. sated to the shaft of one of the twisters throu n the bevel gear-whecl and pinion, and as all of these shafts are geared together the twisters are rotated simultaneously.

The warp-wires that compose the fabric are passed or threaded through the central section of the twisters through the aligned openings therein, and the woof-wires of the wire fabric or fence are passed through the transverse perforations or openings in the semicircular disk or head of the movable sections of the twisters.

The warp-wires are wound or coiled in bundles as they leave the factory, and they are unwound in rear of the machine and stretched for a suitable distanee say fifty rodsupon the posts in rear of the machine,and they serve as stays to aid in keeping the machine vertical, the said warp-wires being passed through suitable openings in the upright a, thence through the shaft of the central stationary section of the twister, then through the aligned openings therein, and out of the opposite side of the machine through the circular openings in the upright c at the front of the main frame. The woof-wires are coiled upon spools or bobbins R, that are loosely journaledin brackets 9', which are affixed very rigidly to the outside of the movable side sec tions of the twisters by means of suitable bolts or screws,whicharc passed through the brackets, and the tie-bar of the movable section, each of the said movable sect-ions ofthe twisters, except the inactive sections I Iand one of the movable sections of the twisters O I, being provided with a spool or bobbin, which is carried thereby and rotates therewith during the operation of twisting the wire I) to form the loops. The wire from these spools or bobbins Ris passed through the transverse opening in the head of the movable side sections of the twisters, and thence through the circular opening in the front upright, a, of the main frame. One of the movable sections of the twisters O and I at the extreme upper and lower ends of the machine, however, is not provided with the bobbins R for the woof-wires, because when the shifting frames MN are moved vertically one section of one twister C and the section of the twister 1 on the opposite side of the stationary central sections of all of the twisters will be thrown above and beneath the circular openings in the main frame, and hence it is impossible to pass or feed the woof-wires through the said movable section of the twisters therein, and when the frames M N are shifted to one position, as in Fig. 8, the inactive sections I I are adjusted to register with the stationary sect-ions L of the twisters G I, the inactive twisters being provided merely to properly rotate the twisters G I. The warpwires, however, are passed through the central stationary sections of the said twisters.

In order to attain a clear understanding of the shifting of the movable side sections, J K, of the active twisters by the sliding frames M N, I shall designate the central stationary sections by the reference-letters which distinguish the twisters from each other-as, for instance, 0 D E, &c.-and the movable side sections of the twisters by the numerals from 1 to 12,

inclusive, as clearly shown in the end elevations.

To make the style of fence shown in Figs. 1 and 21 of the drawings I proceed to thread the twisters as follows: The end twisters, O I are threaded with the large wire, which is to form the warp, by passing it through the aligned openings in the central stationary part or section thereof, and the smaller-sized wires, that form the woof of the fabric, are then passed through the twister-heads 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 12, and it will thus be seen that no wires are passed through the twister-heads 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11, and the inactive twisters I I, and the blank sections of twisters C I. When using the machine to construct a fence in the field, one end of the large wires from the central section of twisters C I is attached to the fence'postjust beyond the machine. The large wires 15, which pass through the central sectidns of the upper and lower twisters O I, form the warp for the woven-wire netting or fabric, while the smaller wires, 16, which are inserted through the heads of theside movable sections of the twisters, form the weft or woof of the nettin The wires 15 should be stretched taut by means of suitable stretchers located any desired distance from or in rear of the machine; but I have not deemed it necessary that these stretchers shall be shown, as any de vice for accomplishing this end can be used. \Vith the warp-wires 15 arranged as shown and described to form the selvage of the wire netting or fabric, and the weft or woof wires arranged through the twister-heads of the sections J K, to make the style of fence in Figs.

, lever.

' '2 1 and 21, I proceed as' follows: The lever O is pressed down to move the slide M downward and by the same movement force the sliding frame N upward, inasmuch as the slides move in opposite directions simultaneously. By moving the sliding frame N upward the side sections of the twisters that are located in the sliding frames are forced upward correspondingly, and the side sections J of the twisters in the sliding frame M are forced downward with the frame by the sanie movement of the Thusthe section 1 ofthe upper twister, G, which has one of the weft-wires 16, will be carried down andbrought on a line to coincide with the central section of the twister D. By the same vertical movement of the sliding frames M N thetwister-heads'5 and 9 are carried down opposite to the central section, L, of the twisters F and H, and the twister-heads 4, 8, and 12 are carried up opposite to the central sections of the twisters D, F, and H, one twister receiving one of the side sections from the adjoining twister and giving one of its own side sections to the said adjoining section. (SeeFigs. 8 and 9, and compare the same with Figs. 12 and 2.) The blank inactive twisters I I are thus caused to register with the central section, L, of twisters G I and the blank sections of twisters O I- are reversed, as is obvious. In this manner the side sections, J K, which have weft wires 16 passed through them, coincide with the twisters D, F, and H, which originally had the side sections without any weft-wires. While the machine is in this condition, with its weft-wires all located at the twisters D F H, the crank O is turned, causing the rotating of all of the twisters simultaneously as they are geared together for instantaneous operation. The number of complete turns given to the twisters will regulate the number of twists which are made in the wires.

As the twisters are geared together, one twister will turn in one direction and the adjacent twister will turn in the opposite or re verse direction but at the same time each twister will make the proper twist on the two weft-wires without interfering with each other.

It will be understood that the throw or movement of the sliding frames M N is just sufficient to cause the side sections to align or coincide with the central section of the twisters above and beneath the same, according to the direction in which the side sect-ions are moved by the sliding frames. In turning the twisters to make a com )lete twistit is necessar tions. The weft-wires are now located as follows: The single-weft-wires at the twisters 1 and 12 extend alongside of the warp-wires 15. The double weft-wires at the twisters 4 5 and 8 9 are arranged on each side of their respective central sections, 0 E, and while in this position the'crank is again turned to cause the rotation of the twisters and consequent twisting of the wires at the points designated. The

single end weft-wires twist around the warpwires and the double weft-wires twist upon themselves or around each other. Having now reached the point from where the operation started, it is not necessary to continue further, since by repeating the operation over and over again the wires are inclined and twisted to form additional meshes or loops of the netting, as will be very readily understood. It will be plain that by the alternate shifting of the sliding frames M N up and down the weft-wires are extended down and up in alternate series, and thus woven together to form the mesh when the twisters are rotated.

I illustrate another style of fence in Fig. 11, and I will proceed to describe the manner of weaving the wires. In this form of fence I use the warp-wires at each of the several central sections of the twisters, and pass the woofwires through the side twister-heads, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11, as shown in Fig. 10; or they may be passed through the heads 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 12, which will produce the same result. The manner of threading the twisters is shown in Fig. 10, and it differs from Fig. 2 only in having the warp-wires through all of central and through the side twister section-heads, as in Figs. 1 and 2t'. 6., through numbers 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11. It will be understood that the Weft-wires in the style shown in Fig. 11 twist around the warp-wires, which are held straight and tight.

Referring to, Fig. 12 will be seen the arrangement of the wires when constructing the style of fence shown in Fig. 13. Warp-wires are used-at the top and bottom twisters, and the weft-wires are passed through both side sections of all the twisters, except the top and bottom ones, which latter have only one weftwire. By operating the slides M N of the machine the adjacent weft-wires are caused to cross each other, but not twist, at the points e the twisting being made at the point on the weft-wires reached when the slides come to the limit of their movements, as before explained. The weftwires cross at the point a when about half of the movement of the slide has been made.

Referring to Fig. 15 will' be seen another style of fence, which is, however, very similar to the plan shown in Fig. 13. The threading of the wires in the twisters to form the plan of fence seen in Fig. 15 is shown in Fig. 14. The arrangement of the weft-wires is the same as in Fig. 13, but the plan of the warp-wire is different, in the fact that in Fig. 14 all of the twisters have the warp-wires. It will be seen that the weft-wires cross each other at an intermediate point before twisting around the warp-wires, just as in Fi 13. At the end of each movement of the slides the twisters are rotated to effect the twisting of all the weftwires around the warp-wires. The plan of fencing shown in Fig. 15 makes a very strong fence, the meshes being close together and the arrangement and connection of the warp and weft threads mutually bracing each other, and thus avoid any liability to sa The style offence shownin Fig. 16 is made by threading the central sections of the twisters at the upper and lower side of the machine, 0 I, with large wire 15, then the central section of the twisters D E F G H with either large or small wire 16, and finally the twisterheads 2, 4, (3,8, 10, and 12, as shown in Fig. 16, with small wire from the bobbins Pr. The sliding frames are now shifted and the twisters are rotated, after which the frames are returned to their former position, the same as in the operations hereinbefore referred to.

To make the style of fence shown in Fig. 17 of the drawings, the central sections, L, of the twisters G, E, and I, are threaded with the large warp-wires l5, and the heads 1 4 5 6 7 S 9 10 11 12 of the side sections, J K, are threaded with the small weft-wire 16 from the spools It, after which. the sliding frames are shifted, the t-wisters rotated, and the frames returned to their normal position, as hereinbefore described. The mesh of the fabric shown in this figure is very wide at the top or upper half, and at the lower half it is very close to prevent small animals from passing through the lower part, as may be desired in some cases, and. it also producesa very ornamental and pretty fence.

Fig. 18 shows another plan of fencing made by my machine, in which I employ pickets or slats, as shown. The threading of the twisters to make this form of netting shown in this figure, and the operation, are exactly the. same as represented in Figs. 12 and 13. The palings or pickets are introduced by hand through the meshes of the wires as each mesh is completed. I

Fig. 19 illustrates the common form of wood fenceheld together by wires. In this instance as many of the twistersare threaded with their side sections as will accord with the desired number of strands for the fence; but the central sections, L, have no wires passed through the opening at, the front end thereof. It will be seen that the central and side sections of the twister have slots or openings. The wires for the side sections in this instance are passed through the central shaft or spindle of the central section; then they are separated, and one wire is passed through one side section and the other wire through the other side section. In this instance warp or larger wires twister-s.

g frames M N remain inactive. The. twisters are rotated in first one direction and then the other to twist or weave the wines between the slats or pickets in a straight line, the pickets being introduced by hand, of course.

In Fig. 20 I have shown still another form of fence that my machine is capable of makin In threading the machine for this style each alternate central twister is threaded, G, E, G, and I, with the warp or large wires, and the heads 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, .10, 11, and 12 are threaded with the small or woof wire, after which the slides and levers are operated in the manner hereinbefore described to form the twists and meshes of the fabric.

It will be observed that I provide a simple and strong machine which is capable of doing a variety of work without adjusting or changing any of its parts. The machine has very few parts when the character of the work to be performed thereby is taken into consideration, and the arrangement of the parts is such as to avoid the possibility of the machine getting out of working order.

1 may either construct a portable machine, as shown in the accompanying drawings, to work in the open field or other place, or dispose the parts in ahorizontal instead of a vertical position and mount the same on suitable bearings and legs to provide a stationary machine for indoor use.

I do not wish to be understood as confiniri r myself to the exact details of construction ant form and proportion of parts herein shown and described as an embodiment of my invention, as I am aware that numerous changes therein can be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a wire-fabrie machine, a series of sectional twisters, each of which comprises a central section for carrying a warp-wire,aud haying rotary movement imparted thereto, and

the shifting sections for carrying the weft-wire,

and receiving rotary motion from the central section to form the twist, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of sectional twisters geared together for simultaneous rotation,and each comprising a central portion movable only on its axis and side portions capable of a compound movement-that of rotation on their axes and of a shifting longitudinal movement, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of sectional twister-s, comprising the central section haying rotary movement imparted thereto to rotate the same on its axis only, the shifting side sections adapted to align with the central sections to be rotated thereby, and mechanism for shifting the said side sections to cause the side section of one twister- IIC to coincide with the central section of the adjacent twister, substantially as described, for

the purpose set forth.

4. In a wire-fabric machine,-the combination, with the series of sectional twisters, of the shifting frames carrying the movable sections of the twisters, the central section of the twisters being held from longitudinal movement during the shifting of the frames, and the side sections being carried by the frames to cross the wires, the side sections being rotated by the central sections, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination, with the sectional twisters,comprising the central sections capable of rotating movement on their axes only, and the side sections having longitudinal movement and rotated by the central sections, of the shifting frames carrying the said side sections, which are capable of free rotation therein, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth. I

6. In a wire-fabric machine,the combination of the sectional twisters, comprising the central section havi'ngthe projecting heads, and the side sections tit-ted against the jeentral section, and the sliding frames in which the side sections are carried and are capable of free rotation, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

7. In a wire-fabric machine, the sectional twisters,comprising the central and side sections movable with respect to each other, the sliding frames movable in opposite directions simultaneously and carrying the side sections therewith, and means for shifting the said frames, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a wire-fabric machine, the sectional twisters, comprising the central and side sections, in combination with the sliding frames having the recesses in which the side sections of the twisters are fitted, and a lever connected with the slides for moving them in opposite directions simultz-meously, substantially as de-' scribed.

9. In a wire-fabric machine, the series of sectional twisters, comprising the central and side sections, the central section of each twister being geared to the twister adjacent thereto for simultaneous operation, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

10. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of twisters geared directly together for simultaneous operation, and each comprising a central section and the side section, each side section carrying a spool or reel for the wire, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

11. In a wire-fabric machine, a series of twisters connected for simultaneous operation,

and each consisting ot' a central section and the side section, in combination with the spools carried by the side sections, the central section of each twister being provided with a longitudinal opening for the passage therethrough of the warp-wire, substantially as described.

12. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a carrying-frame, the sliding frames therein, the sectional twisters having the stationary central section and the side sections fitted in the sliding frames, and means for moving the carryingframe with a step-by-step motion,'snbstantially as described, for the pur-- pose set forth.

13. The combination of a series of twisters geared directly together, and each consisting ofa central section capable of rotation on its axis only, and the side sections, the oppositelymovable slides in which the side sections are fitted, the spools carried by the side sections, and a lever for shifting the slides simultaneously, substantially as described.

14. The combination of a series of sectional twisters, each consisting of a central section having the projecting heads, and'the side sections in contact with the central section and having the segmental heads with their flat sides in contact with the heads of the central sections, the said heads of the central and side section's forming a complete circle when the sections are placed together side by side, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

15. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of rotary twisters geared directly together for simultaneous operation, each twister having a central section capable of rotary movement only, and two side sections which are capable of a shifting movement independently of the central section in opposite directions simultaneously, whereby the said shifting sections of one twister are adjusted to register with the central sections of twisters on opposite sides of the same, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

16. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of rotary twisters geared together f or simultaneous operation, each twister comprising a central section capable of rotation on its axis only, and the shifting sections arranged on opposite sides of the central section, each side section having segmental heads which impinge upon the central section when the twister is rotated, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

17. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of rotary twisters, each of which consists of two shifting sections capable of movement in opposite directions simultaneously, and a central section having rotary movement'imparted thereto and interposed between the shiftingseetions to impinge upon the latter when they align therewith and rotate the same, substantially as described.

18. In a wire-fabric machine, the combination of a series of rotary twisters, each of which consists of a central section held from endwise morement and capable of rotation on its axis only, and the side sections capable of LIO shifting movement in opposite directions simultaneously, the side sections of one twister being arranged on opposite sides of the central section thereof and impinging upon the latter to be rotated on their axes therewith, the twisters being capable of rotary movement only when the shifting side sections thereof are in line with the central section, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

19. In a wire-fabric machine, the combiuation of a series of rotary twisters, each twister comprising the shifting side sections provided with the segmental heads, through which the warpwires are to be passed, and the central section disposed between the side sections and held from shifting movement, the central sections of the series of twisters being geared directly together and impinging upon the side sections when the latter are in line therewith, to rotate the said side sections, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

20. In a wire-fabric machine, a series of sectional twisters, each comprising a central section, the central sections being geared together to be simultaneously rotated on their axes, and the shifting side sections adapted to align with the central sections to be rotated therewith, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I'claim the foregoing as my own'I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALVA L. KITS ELMAN.

\Vitnesses:

JAMES W. MoCAMIsH, HENRY l. KITSELMAN. 

